Iran Bans Electronic Devices Except Mobile Phones on Flights Amid Hezbollah Pager Controversy

Oct 12, 2024, 11:50 AM

Iran's Civil Aviation Organization has announced a ban on bringing electronic communication devices, such as pagers and walkie-talkies, into airplane cabins or checked baggage, except for mobile phones. The decision follows accusations that an Iranian company acted as an intermediary in the purchase of pagers for Hezbollah, which were linked to a series of deadly sabotage attacks and explosions across Lebanon and Syria last month, blamed on Israel. Masoud Asadollahi, a former deputy commander of the IRGC Quds Force, initially confirmed the purchase on Iran's state TV, but the channel later denied his remarks. Airlines like Emirates and others in the region have implemented similar bans.